Herefordshire

Herefordshire's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and health.

The population passed 180,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Herefordshire increased by 4.9%, from almost 175,000 to 183,000.

The addition of just over 8,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Herefordshire was home to, on average, 0.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the West Midlands' least densely-populated unitary authority.

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Herefordshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Herefordshire increased by two years, from 42 to 44 years.

This remote area had a higher average age than the West Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 5,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 4,000.

About 14% of people in Herefordshire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Herefordshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Herefordshire

Herefordshire saw the West Midlands' largest fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (89%) in Herefordshire reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities, compared with 90% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.9% to 3.6%.

Across the region, Malvern Hills saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 89% in 2001 to 87% in 2011).

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in rate of employment

Herefordshire saw the West Midlands' largest rise in the proportion of employed people.

In 2011, just over one in two (51%) people aged 16 to 74 in Herefordshire said they were employed, compared with 50% in 2001. The percentage that were unemployed increased from 2.7% to 3.3%.

Across the region, Stoke-on-Trent saw the next largest increase in the proportion of employed people (from 49% in 2001 to 50% in 2011).

During this period, Herefordshire fell below four local authority areas, including Walsall and Malvern Hills, to become the West Midlands local authority area with the eighth-lowest percentage of employed people.

The rate of employment was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were employed across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households in Herefordshire, which comprised a single parent, increased from 8.2% to 8.6% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in three (36%) households had a married couple, compared with 39% in 2001. The percentage of households in Herefordshire, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.8% to 9.5%.

The proportion of single-parent households decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across the West Midlands. But despite the improvement, Herefordshire remained less healthy than the regional average 11% in the West Midlands described their health as good in 2011).

The percentage of households with a single-parent was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that had a single parent across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Herefordshire at a faster rate than in Malvern Hills (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Herefordshire).

In Herefordshire, the proportion of private renting increased from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Malvern Hills increased from 8.6% to 12%.

Across the West Midlands, the share of privately rented homes increased from 7.3% to 14%.

The rate of social housing in Herefordshire fell from 15% to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 71% to 68%.

Private renting in Herefordshire increased by 5.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Herefordshire, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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